Georgia realtor sues trans activists for defamation after they tried to get her fired for speaking out against explicit books in children's section of public library

A real estate agent in Georgia has filed a defamation lawsuit against trans activists who attempted to ruin her career over her stance on sexually explicit literature in the children's section of the public library. Julie Mauck became the target of their ire for daring to suggest that perhaps a book that contained nudity and descriptions of sexual behavior should be moved to the adults' section.

The activists contacted her broker and filed an ethics complaint, claiming that Mauck had made "derogatory statements" about the LGBTQ community, referring to its members as "pedophiles." Her broker caved to the pressure and ended his partnership, forcing her to find another position. She eventually founded her own brokerage, Freedom Realty USA, to prevent a similar scenario from playing out in the future.

According to the Daily Signal, Mauck filed the lawsuit with financial assistance from the Coalition for Liberty, a legal group that helps victims of cancel culture. The defendants are Athens Pride and Queer Collective, Danielle Carmella Bonanno, and Fiona Bell, who also goes by Felix Bell. 

Mauck, who also chairs her local Moms for Liberty chapter, accused the duo of lying about her remarks, and called on the court to award compensatory and punitive damages. She also sought to have Athens Pride "cease and desist from engaging in deceptive trade practices" and to issue an apology.

During a meeting of the Oconee County Public Library Board of Trustees on July 10, 2023, Mauck addressed the book in question, Flamer by Mike Curato, and also claimed that a number of pedophiles try to fit themselves into the "+" in LGBTQ+. Bell, who was also at the meeting, and Bonanno, who presides over Athens Pride, contacted Mauck's broker, Bob Allen, demanding she be let go. They also filed an ethics complaint with the Georgia Association of Realtors.

The following day, Allen informed Mauck that he would no longer be working with her, and on November 9, a GAR panel found that she had violated the Code of Ethics. She appealed the ruling, and on January 4, she was cleared of all wrongdoing. 

"I never actually said what they accused me of saying," she told the Daily Signal.